Meet Cynthia Kersey, the CEO and Founder of Unstoppable Foundation. She is an unwavering advocate for education and the power of individuals and communities to create lasting change. She has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, inspiring millions worldwide through her speaking engagements and best-selling books, Unstoppable and Unstoppable Women.
In her role as CEO, Cynthia oversees all Unstoppable Foundation programs, collaborating with her dedicated teams in North America and Kenya. As a dynamic and visionary leader, she has played a pivotal role in the organization’s achievements, ensuring that Unstoppable Foundation’s programs are not only impactful but also sustainable.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was a receptionist at a podiatrist’s office, following my mom’s recommendation. She was a secretary and encouraged me to follow in her footsteps, so I shared the job with her. Unlike me, my mother was very organized and excelled in the role. Through this experience, I realized that a clerical or administrative position wasn’t for me. I also learned the importance of looking within to discover what truly inspires you and what you want to do with your life.
If you think back on leaders who inspired you in your career or leadership style, who were they and why were they inspiring?
A few years ago, I quit my job and cashed in my entire life savings to write my first book, ‘Unstoppable’. For my research, I interviewed many people and met one of the most inspiring leaders who later became my mentor, Millard Fuller, Founder of Habitat for Humanity International. Millard inspired me with how he led his life. He was a purpose-driven individual who cared deeply about people, building a huge organization to support them. As a mentor, he saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself, sparking an interest in philanthropy that changed my life.
Sixteen months after my first book was released, my 20-year marriage ended, I was devastated. I was at my mom’s house, and spent days in a bedroom with a box of Kleenex, unsure of my future. But I knew I didn’t want to stay there feeling sorry for myself. I needed to focus on helping others to distract myself from my own problems. Later that week, I called Millard and told him everything that happened. In response, he said,
“When you have a great pain in your life, you need a greater purpose to live – one that is bigger than the pain.”
I thought I was living a purposeful life, but my pain overshadowed that purpose. Millard suggested a larger purpose: building homes for families in need. He mentioned that you could build a house for $2,000 in Nepal. I realized that the goal of building 100 homes could surpass my pain. So, I raised enough money over the following year and took a group of 18 people to Nepal to build the first three of the 100 homes.
This experience changed my life and gave it meaning again. One key takeaway I got was when we do something great for someone else, we also do something greater for ourselves.
Generosity activates receiving because when you express love and kindness, people are drawn to it.
What motivates you every day?
My keyword is "inspired." If I’m not inspired, I’m not happy. I find inspiration in the work we’re doing and the impact we’re making. Recently, I returned from Kenya, where we took our donors to see the results of their generosity, and it was incredibly inspiring.
I’m inspired by writing my next book, ‘The Generosity Effect™’. Decades of research have shown that generosity is one of the most potent forces for meaning, happiness, and fulfillment. For example, Caroline Schwartz's study with caregivers teaching people with cancer revealed that the caregivers experienced higher happiness levels than those being taught. This phenomenon, known as 'moral elevation,' occurs when witnessing an act of kindness uplifts the observer. One solution to bridging divides is to witness generosity, which inspires others to be generous. Stephen G. Post’s book, ‘Why Good Things Happen to Good People’, supports similar findings.
I practice four things every single day and I call this the generosity practice in my book:
Start your day with gratitude.
Be generous with yourself and fill your cup first.
Be generous with someone else. It could be as small as listening to someone or smiling at them.
Be a generous receiver.
Receiving is as important as being generous because it completes the circle. If we deflect or push away a gift or compliment, we stop others from feeling good. For example, once a friend with limited means gave me a cookbook. While I thanked her, I said she didn’t need to buy me anything. She responded that it made her feel great. Generosity creates a sense of heaven on earth. It creates a deeper level of faith and allows you to take risks. I even met my soulmate while talking about generosity!
Let me share the story of Cami Walker, who inspired me deeply. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, one month after her marriage, Cami was in pain and depression. A spiritual teacher suggested she give away 29 gifts in 29 days, even if it was as little as a smile. Though skeptical, Cami followed this advice and found that giving brought her a sense of purpose and relief. She later started her own organization ’29 Gifts’, sharing others to do the same.
What do you want to change in the world and why?
I want to change two things. Firstly, I would love to live in a world where people lead with generosity, love and kindness. A world where we all care for each other and see the divine in each other is a world that works for everyone. The second thing is what my foundation’s about – providing education for children. A quality education is something that every child should have access to so that their families can thrive.
What is the purpose and vision of Unstoppable Foundation? And how has being clear about your purpose and vision benefited you and your company?
Our mission is to ensure that EVERY child has access to the lifelong gift of an education and that families receive the resources that enable them to thrive so that they can all achieve their full potential. We have a five-pillar model where we provide education, access to clean water, healthcare, nutritious food, and training for the parents to learn to generate an income. We also run a leadership academy where we teach college students communication skills, financial literacy, and conflict resolution, helping them become leaders in their own lives.
Since 2008, the Unstoppable Foundation has been instrumental in the successful transition of 17 Kenyan communities to sustainability – positively impacting the lives of more than 500,000 men, women and children.
As a foundation, having a clear purpose and mission is very important. If you want people to enrol in your vision, you need to articulate it clearly so that they understand it and see how they can contribute to that mission. People who support our foundation are caring individuals who believe in our mission, which is why they are a part of it. If someone asks us to do something that doesn’t align with our mission, we simply say, “It must be yours to do.”
What one piece of advice would you give other CEOs and leaders regarding leading with purpose?
My advice is to lead with loving kindness and generosity.
I read a book called Winning on Purpose by Fred Reichheld that discusses the importance of generosity in the workplace. Reichheld says that the mission of any business should be to enrich the lives of its customers, employees, and stakeholders. If your customers feel loved and cared for, they become your most effective marketing mechanism. A great example is Chick-fil-A, where the CEO's mission is to turn frowns into smiles. Ultimately, if you lead with loving kindness and generosity, your business will have a profoundly greater impact than it would otherwise.
What one question would you like to ask other purpose-led CEOs?
What is your purpose and what inspires you? How do you keep your purpose alive within yourself, your employees, and your customers?
One question from the CEO we interviewed before you, Jonathan Westeinde, CEO, Windmill Development.
How can we collaborate to support each other and become stronger together?
Come together as a community and be willing to be generous. Don’t view other CEOs as competitors; instead, help them achieve their purpose. If one of us does well, it doesn’t mean that others won’t also succeed. There’s an infinite supply of good, and you need to embrace an abundance mindset, not a scarcity mindset.
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